Nateschon ‘Shadow’ Thomas (airborne) and Team Great Britain averted relegation from the top division of European Baseball after thrashing Greece on September 16, 2016. Photo: Provided

Facing a real threat of dropping out of Europe’s elite top flight, Thomas and his team mates won back to back games, including the thrashing of Greece and a 6-2 win over Croatia, to turn around a disappointing Championship performance.

In Friday’s must win encounter, Thomas had 5 at bats, 3 hits, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.

In the second inning, he doubled through the right side, reached third on the next play and then stole home. He grounded out to second base in his next at bat, in the third inning and met the same fate in the fourth.

In the fifth, he hit an inside the park homer and in the seventh was left stranded on third base after he hit a double down the right field line.

The win means Team GB will stay in the top division of European baseball and automatically qualify for the 2018 Championships.

The previous day, team GB had beaten Croatia 6-2, to record their first win of the Tournament, with Thomas having four at bats, with 2 hits, a run scored and two RBI.

In his first at bat, Thomas flied out to centre field, and in the fourth inning he struck out swinging. In the 6^th he doubled to left field, bringing home two runners and then came home himself later in the inning.

In the 8^th he singled, stole second, but was then left hanging as the inning closed and in the 9^th, Thomas was walked and reached second before being left stranded.